What do you want from your
parish?
We
speak of belonging to a parish the same way we say we belong to a family. So maybe the question is What
can you offer your parish? Here are five
investments you can make that will pay big dividends for you and your family:
1.
Sing out at Mass.
Something
special happens when a group sings enthusiastically together. Enthusiasm and joy abound. Saint Augustine knew the value of belting out
the hymns. He said, “When you sing, you
pray twice.”
2.
Greet Others
Would
you let a guest enter your home without offering a greeting of welcome? You don’t have to go overboard, but be
gracious to those you meet at Mass and other church events. You’ll be enriching your own life as you
strengthen your parish community.
3.
Attend Functions, celebrations,
adult education, and seasonal services offered by your parish. Learning, praying together, and enjoying on
another’s company are all ways that prepare us as a community for our mission
to bear Christ to the world in our homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces.
4.
Offer your gift
Families
are busy. That’s a given in our fast
paced world. But each member of the
parish should do something, whether it’s chairing a fundraising event or
offering up your daily prayers for the parish family. Pick one or two commitments you can make and
sustain, and throw yourself into it. The
gain will fair outweigh the investment, especially if you get your children
involved.
5. Give Thanks
It
takes many people to keep a parish running.
Often parish staff and volunteers hear far more complaints than
compliments. Think of someone whose work
you appreciate and send a thank you
note, e-mail, or voice message expressing your gratitude.
Reprinted
with permission of Loyola Press.
You
will find an array of resources to nourish your faith at